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Affectionately called the “Scottie,” the Scottish Terrier is a compact, sturdy vermin hunter noted for having short legs and a shaggy beard. Charming and gentle, he takes pride in being a beloved pet and loves to be near his human companions. The playful, spirited Scottish Terrier needs plenty of leashed walks or fenced exercise. His hard, dense coat requires brushing twice a week and clipping every other month.
DID YOU KNOW? Breeder John Naylor imported the first two Scotties, “Tam Glen” and “Bonnie Belle,” in 1883 to the U.S. The Scottish Terrier is the only breed to live in the White House under three presidents. Franklin D. Roosevelt owned a male named “Fala,” Dwight D. Eisenhower had two Scotties called “Caacie” and “Telek,” and George W. Bush owned a male named “Barney.” King James VI was a big fan of the Scottish Terrier, thus the breed became popular in Scotland during his reign.
ALSO KNOWN AS: Aberdeen Terrier, Scottie
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Weight: | 8.5–10.5kg |
| Height: | 25–28cm |
| Colours: | Black, and all shades of wheaten or brindle |
| Size: | Small |
| Kennel Club Group: | Terrier |
| Family-friendly: | 4/5 |
| Exercise needs: | 4/5 |
| Easy to train: | 1/5 |
| Tolerates being alone: | 3/5 |
| Likes other pets: | 4/5 |
| Energy level: | 4/5 |
| Grooming needs: | 2/5 |
| Shedding: | 2/5 |
Scottish Terriers are frequently described as bold, lion-hearted, loyal and serious, but also dour, aloof, and reserved. Whilst primarily a companion and show dog today, the Scottish Terrier is very much a terrier, with all the feist and independent spirit one should expect.
With kind, patient training and motivation, the Scottie can be a cheerful, loyal and affectionate family friend to those they live with and knows well, but don’t expect them to be gushing and effusive with strangers.
Country of Origin: Scotland
Although known as the Scottish Terrier since 1879, the Scottie has had several earlier names, including the Aberdeen Terrier, the Hard-Coated Scotch Terrier and the Die-Hard or Wire-Haired Terrier.
Descended from the ancestral Highland Terrier, and closely related to the West Highland White Terrier, the Scottish Terrier was a working dog, bred to go to ground and take on any pest necessary. Their short legged, powerful muscular build and hard coat meant they were excellent in this role.
Health problems most commonly seen in the Scottish Terrier are a particular bone disease of the jaw, a muscle disorder causing cramping and they are more predisposed to certain types of cancer, in particular bladder cancer. As with many breeds, they can also suffer from hereditary eye disorders and so eye testing prior to breeding is important.
The breed club monitor the health of the breed carefully and should be contacted for the most up-to-date information and details of any DNA or additional testing they recommend. Breed Clubs can be found on the Kennel Club website.
Scottish Terriers are highly adaptable in their physical exercise requirements, but do require a good balance of mental versus physical. This is a clever, sharp minded breed who will enjoy scent-based games and problem solving as well as walks of all durations once fit but will need at least an hour every day.
As a small breed the Scottie does not require vast, expansive housing, however a secure garden and access to peaceful yet interesting walks will be necessary. This is a breed that can be kept happily in town or country, but they will need quiet, secure spaces to run, sniff and unwind, particularly if kept in busy towns.
Small dogs have a fast metabolism, meaning they burn energy at a high rate, although their small stomachs mean that they must eat little and often. Small-breed foods are specifically designed with appropriate levels of key nutrients and smaller kibble sizes to suit smaller mouths. This also encourages chewing and improves digestion.
To retain the hard, weatherproof coat, the Scottish Terrier must be hand stripped three or four times a year. This is something you can learn to do yourself, or have done professionally. Their legs, head and body can be clipped.
Grooming their faces and beard and checking between toes/pads for foreign bodies should be done daily, with the rest of the body done a couple of times a week.
The Scottish Terrier is a strong minded and independent breed, so whilst they can be trained to a high level you will need to employ positive reinforcement and ensure you remain interesting and motivating. If bored, the Scottish Terrier will find their own amusement.
An outlet for their natural desire to hunt small vermin, in the form of tug toys and soft toys is a must, and good socialisation with other dogs and other species from an early age is vital.
Raised kindly with respectful children, the Scottish Terrier can be a good family dog, they are however not inclined to effusive greetings with strangers, so will need time and patience if asked to add new people to their social group.
While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.
